Three digit number provides answers for people in financial crisis

In December, Massachusetts lost 16,800 jobs, increasing the state’s unemployment rate to 6.9 percent. Responding to sharp increases in numbers of people seeking help for the first time, United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley is calling on the community to leverage National 2-1-1 Day tomorrow to help raise awareness about Mass2-1-1, a free and confidential helpline for basic needs and other health and human services. Launched in 2007 by United Ways across Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Association of Information & Referral Specialists (MAIRS),  2-1-1 can connect callers to range of services, including rental assistance, food banks, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, elderly care, financial literacy, and job training programs.

As the recession has worsened, 2-1-1 has seen a significant uptick in usage. In December, Mass 2-1-1 received 5,346 calls -- an increase of more than 1,800 over the previous month. Overwhelmingly calls have been focused on accessing help for basic needs including, mortgage and rental assistance, food services and utility shut-off prevention. Within the Commonwealth there are thousands of phone numbers for health and social service programs, government offices, and community organizations, Mass 2-1-1 -- a three-digit dial available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – was designed to streamline the process of getting help.

“While 2-1-1 is a useful resource any time, it becomes essential in an economic crisis,” said Michael Durkin, President and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley. “Help should never be more than one phone call away. 2-1-1 aggregates all of the resources throughout the state and connects people to the immediate help they need.”

This year, United Way has used 2-1-1 as a portal for its Community Support Fund (CSF). In the fall, United Ways throughout Massachusetts came together to launch the Community Support Fund, as a separate drive from their annual campaigns, to provide Massachusetts residents with emergency financial assistance and other basic needs. The fund responds to what United Way has called “unprecedented need” on account of the recession and aims to swiftly distribute 100% of the funds raised directly into the community. Not only can individuals and families needing help access CSF assistance through 2-1-1, residents wanting to help their neighbors can give to the fund by calling 2-1-1.

United Way is also using 2-1-1 as a way to increase awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and help low to moderate income residents find free tax preparation sites this season. By calling 2-1-1, residents can hear eligibility requirements for the earned income tax credit and learn about government and nonprofit tax sites near them that will help them file for free. United Way has been encouraging individuals who have not previously been eligible for EITC but may have experienced a job loss or a change in salary this year, to call 2-1-1 and look into their eligibility.

February 11 marks National 2-1-1 Day. Across the nation, 2-1-1 reaches approximately 234 million people (over 78% of the total U.S. population) in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Congress is currently considering H.R. 211an act to facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on health and human services, including volunteer services and other purposes.